Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver and fatty tissues. It is a precursor to a steroid hormone and plays a role in bone growth and maintenance, cardiovascular disease, estrogen excess, brain cell growth and the inflammatory immune response. Its major role is the metabolism and maintenance of calcium. Low vitamin D status is linked to a number of conditions including cancer, muscle weakness and diabetes. Low levels of vitamin D in children can cause rickets, while in adults it can lead to osteoporosis….

the microorganisms in a particular environment (including the body or a part of the body). “We depend on a vast army of microbes to stay alive: a microbiome that protects us against germs, breaks down food to release energy, and produces vitamins.”

the combined genetic material of the microorganisms in a particular environment.“Understanding the microbiome—human, animal, and environmental—is as important as the human genome.”…

Today, diseases tend to be chronic and degenerating, involving multiple complications and symptoms that accumulate over time. The diseases that plague us also tend to be avoidable through lifestyle habits. The average Canadian consumes over 130 pounds of wheat each year. …

I love sugar. I have always loved sugar for as long as I can remember and I come by it honestly – growing up, my entire family loved sweets – ice cream, cereals such as granola, pastries and pies. As a teenager I often found myself at the Dairy Queen with friends and often we would have not one, but two hot fudge sundaes. (The only sweet item I never liked were soft drinks). …

Retirement is not just a destination; a time in the future. It’s also a journey; one which requires planning and nurturing along the way — not unlike your health.

While I’m not going to pretend saving money is easy, joining the ranks of those who have comfortable retirement savings may be a more realistic goal than you think. Achieving your savings goals requires a steady income, a commitment to saving, short-term sacrifices, and a smart investment strategy.
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Vitamins are organic compounds needed in the body. They are essential to life. We only need them in relatively small amounts, but they are incredibly important due to their roles in growth, digestion, energy transfer, nervous system function and more. These micro-nutrients also act as co-factors for enzymes, allowing all activities that occur in the body to be carried out properly….

Sandy Cardy, CPA, CA, CFP

As a leading authority on tax and estate planning, for many years Sandy helped individuals grow their net worth. But after her own battle with cancer and subsequent full recovery, she immersed herself in researching how to protect your health, as well as your wealth. Today, she shares her practical and inspiring knowledge of how to build a lasting legacy, in all senses of the word.